Week 35 Day 1
Finding God in the Mysteries of every day
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Matthew 6 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
In an age of extreme narcissism when people like to believe they are so important that the pervading thought is that every action is being scrutinized by the whole world humble and quiet acts of charity are rare. We often appreciate more the fanfare of recognition and back slapping approval that can arise out of simple kindness than the simple pleasure of extending the hand of grace to a brother or sister. How sad that we have come to this impasse.
Perhaps my most embarrassing moment as a pastor came when I was “recognized” in a large gathering because of a particular “charitable” ministry I was responsible for. My greatest satisfaction during my years of pastoring came when I was able to meet with a group of men at all hours of the day and night to meet at a warehouse, pray with the team and load up our vehicles and scatter over a 100 mile area to distribute food to pantries and food kitchens. Like thieves in the night we came, delivered, and prayed with the servants and then slipped quietly away. Very few ever knew just exactly what we were doing. I don’t now what God thought about it all. For those of us involved, it was true blessing to be able to “put feet to our faith”. There are opportunities all around us. Charity is not just throwing money at problems in the hope that they might give us a leg up in our own legend, or just go away. Charity is always directional from one person to another, it is not an abstract thought process
Larry M Lawrence- Mysteries 